Germantown Academy Performing Twice with Polish High School

In addition to Tuesday’s concert at Lansdale, Germantown Academy’s Singing Patriots and the First High School of Krakow (FHSK) choir and alumni choir will also perform at the Germantown Academy’s Art Center on Friday at 7 p.m..

This is the fourth meeting between the Singing Patriots, Germantown Academy’s Upper School Choir, and the FHSK’s choir. The first occurred in Krakow, Poland in 2007, and again two years later in America, when the Whitemarsh private school and the Copernicus Society of America hosted the Polish students. In 2011, Germantown Academy returned to Poland again to perform.

“The Germantown Academy Upper School performing arts students are thrilled to artistically collaborate with the First High School of Krakow Choir,” said GA Middle School/Upper School Choral Director and Upper School Performing Arts Chair Charles Masters. “Additionally, the entire GA community is eager to host the 75 guests as it is certain to be a culturally dynamic experience for everyone involved.”

The FHSK choir is one of best-known choirs in Krakow, and is led by award-winning conductor Ryszard Zrobek. The Singing Patriots have toured the world, performing in Austria, Germany, Jamaica, England, Scotland and Wales.

The two schools built a friendship through the Copernicus Society of America, founded by Polish-American businessman and philanthropist Edward Piszek, a member of Germantown Academy’s Honorary Alumni Class of 1760.

Piszek’s son, Bill, and his daughter, Helen Piszek Nelson, both Germantown Academy Graduates, continue the activities of their late father’s organization in the area of inter-school cooperation between the two schools.